Formed in 1903 by the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in the City of London. The Salmon and Trout Association (S&TA) is the only UK-wide organisation representing the views of game anglers. S&TA has been an independent organisation since 1973, with offices in London and Edinburgh.

A membership of 15,000 individuals and 300 clubs means we support around 100,000 game anglers in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 52 branches across the UK provide a social focus for members and allow local issues to be closely monitored. 8 Regional Chairmen co-ordinate branches in their areas and bring issues to S&TA Council for national action.

S&TA represents the interests of all game anglers, the species for which they fish and the environment in which species are found. The S&TA has three main strands to its brief:

POLITICAL POWER IN PARLIAMENT. S&TA is primarily a political lobbying organisation on behalf of game anglers. 80 members across both houses of parliament give us genuine influence when decisions concerning the future of our sport are taken. We have close liaison with Government Departments and Agencies and will be heavily involved in consultation over the review of fisheries legislation being undertaken by MAFF during the next eighteen months.

EDUCATION is a high priority with S&TA, particularly in bringing the young into the sport and we have run a Juniors Beginners Course on the Hampshire Avon for 27 years. Branches organise local tuition days and the S&TA no has a national program of education which encompasses the policy that no child shall be excluded from tuition days on the grounds of cost. These days are spread across the UK so that all children have the opportunity of participating in an event in their area.

CONSERVATION OF THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT: Water Resources - each S&TA branch has a Water Resources Officer who monitors all local abstraction and discharge licenses. S&TA Water Resources Committee lobby's Government Departments and Agencies on all relevant water resource matters and takes an active advisory role in research projects.

Salmon and Trout Trust - this charitable Trust is closely associated with S&TA and provides finance for various research projects concerning conservation of habitat and species.

CURRENT ISSUES include:

• Fisheries Legislation
• Commercial Salmon netting
• Sea Trout Collapse
• Predation
• Afforestation & Acidification
• Spring salmon
• Abstraction
• Industrial fishing
• Antis
• Funding for Angling Education
• Funding for Atlantic Salmon Trust

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